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The Art of Being Normal

Two boys. Two secrets.
David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl.
On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal – to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year eleven is definitely not part of t Two boys. Two secrets.
David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl.
On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal – to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year eleven is definitely not part of that plan.
When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long…

Two boys. Two secrets.
David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl.
On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal – to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year eleven is definitely not part of t Two boys. Two secrets.
David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl.
On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal – to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year eleven is definitely not part of that plan.
When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long…

30 review for
The Art of Being Normal

5 out of 5

Raeleen Lemay–Dec 15, 2014

I spontaneously decided to pick this up today, and I absolutely FLEW through it! I had a couple of minor problems with it, but overall I found it to be very enjoyable.

5 out of 5

Neo–Apr 27, 2016

I'm a trans person and when I saw this book I was super excited. It had a cool cover and a premise I was personally interested in.
However, once I started reading I was honestly very disappointed.
I know that trans people have different experiences and points of view on their gender, but so many things about this book seemed off to me.
The book isn't written by a trans person, and that was my first clue.
In the blurb: "Two boys." and "David wants to be a girl."
Being trans isn't about wanting to be I'm a trans person and when I saw this book I was super excited. It had a cool cover and a premise I was personally interested in.
However, once I started reading I was honestly very disappointed.
I know that trans people have different experiences and points of view on their gender, but so many things about this book seemed off to me.
The book isn't written by a trans person, and that was my first clue.
In the blurb: "Two boys." and "David wants to be a girl."
Being trans isn't about wanting to be another gender. We actually are that gender, but have been seen as our birth gender. And that 'wanting' to be a girl shtick continues through the whole story.
Understandably, David has some internalized transphobia and says some pretty transphobic things to Leo. (I can't remember any specifics because I have lent the book to a friend, but I remember this.) And Leo also says some transphobic things to David, which was odd, as he's trans too?
Also, David uses he/him pronouns throughout the whole book which I guess goes with the whole 'wants to be a girl' thing.
I can't really put it into words because my brain is silly, but as a trans person, I felt uncomfortable reading this, especially as it was written by a cis author and it was specifically taking about someone being trans. To me, it wasn't an accurate representation of what it was like to be trans, and this goes on the list of 'disappointing trans books' along with 'What We Left Behind' by Robin Talley.
:(

"Normal" kids don't see therapists. "Normal" kids don't have mothers like mine, who tell you life isn't fair with messed-up glee, like the unfairness of life is pretty much the only thing they know for sure. I've spent my whole life being told I'm the complete opposite of "normal".
I'm sorry, but I loved this. I don't know why I'm apologizing, since I'm on this website to either hate or love a book no matter what others thought about it, but I feel like this is another one of those books that "Normal" kids don't see therapists. "Normal" kids don't have mothers like mine, who tell you life isn't fair with messed-up glee, like the unfairness of life is pretty much the only thing they know for sure. I've spent my whole life being told I'm the complete opposite of "normal".
I'm sorry, but I loved this. I don't know why I'm apologizing, since I'm on this website to either hate or love a book no matter what others thought about it, but I feel like this is another one of those books that are underrated and many people don't know about. It's another underrated book like We Are the Ants that I wish had a little more 'hype' to it; where more people knew about it. This wasn't heartbreaking, but it was another one of those books that make you realize how hard it is for different people to live their life because they feel like they won't be accepted.
The Art of Being Normal follows David Piper who knows he isn't who he wants to be. When his teacher once asked the whole class what they want to be when they grow up, everyone wrote "normal things" like wanting to be a doctor, or a famous soccer player, or a computer genius, but David wrote that he wants to be a girl. He was 8 when he wrote this, and now that he's 15, there's nothing that has changed. It's been hard for him because no one knows about this, not even his parents, which he is afraid to tell, and he doesn't want anyone at school to know because he's afraid of what they will think. Although David isn't known for who he wants to be, he is known for the different person that he is at school, so he gets teased and bullied a lot that he ends up being called "freak show" and "weirdo" especially by Harry, a popular boy at his school that makes other students lives miserable and tortures them because he can and wants to.
When Harry makes fun of David and finds his scrapbook, filled with pictures that make David happy and his inspections, including height size, hip size, foot size, and even penis size, he starts making fun of David, which makes David elbow Harry for doing so. When Harry tries to get back at him, Leo (Leo Denton), a new student that was expelled from his previous school, stands up for David and punches him. Because of this save, Leo and David end up in detention and begin forming a small friendship that ends up in a trustworthy status, where both end up telling the other something they've never told anyone else.
It's either for the best, or for the worst, but both don't expect what they find out.
I don't know man, but I ended up loving this. I thought I was gonna cry because I felt bad for both characters, but I didn't shed a tear. I wouldn't say this has a plot twist because, in reality, one can see it coming but I really didn't expect anything from this. I expected Leo and David to fall in love with each other and form a friendship since that's what the synopsis of this book kind of hints, but it really wasn't this. This was more about acceptance, coming out, confidence, and friendship. If it wasn't for my friend, I wouldn't have known about this book. She's the one who got me into reading LGBT books and I couldn't be happier. I'm not part of the community, but I'm a supporter, and reading these books make me realize how important it is to realize how difficult it is for these "different" people around us to live their life because they're afraid. They make me realize how important it is to accept these people because they're different. David Piper was different, so was Leo Denton, and I loved them both for that.
I'm pretty sure the message this book was supposed to deliver was about acceptance and confidence. David was struggling to accept who he wanted to be and he was afraid to show it to the world, even to his best friends and parents, because he was afraid of what they would think. I loved how supportive they both were, how his parents were happy for him and wanted the best for him and how his friends would tease him for it and don't really care because they were happy being with him as well. They wouldn't tease him in the "you're disgusting because you're different way" but instead in the "he's in love with him and it's cute" way. I loved how David grew out of his stranger zone and came out, not caring what others thought. He and Leo would make memories together and be who they really were inside, not outside.
I'm not sure if the author herself is in the community, but she really managed to pull off this one, being her first novel especially with 2 characters that are transgender. I actually thought about marking this as another DNF but I really didn't want to, so I kept reading and boy am I glad! The reason for that was because the writing was dull and not that good (I'm not saying I'm better than her in any way but it was lacking in many ways) and the story itself was pretty boring, but when Leo punched Harry, I was completely interested in finding out what would happen next and how exactly Leo and David were gonna start their friendship. This wasn't my first LGBT book, but it was the first book I've ever read that deals with a trans character. There are important issues in this book that are dealt with in real life and that we see in society that many people don't stand up for including bullying, abandonment, poverty, and family issues and Lisa Williamson managed to handle them well enough in this.
The book isn't about being transgender or being normal after all, but it's about David learning to find his "normality". It's a respectful story that can capture a readers attention from the very beginning because you can get so intrigued by David's journey and just want to follow him as he goes. Both characters deal with family and school issues, but especially Leo. You just feel bad for him when it comes to his chapters. He has a mother that just doesn't love him because she's so addicted to alcohol that she comes home late at night and stumbles and falls on the ground because she can't control herself; she calls her son miserable and tells him to go away because she can't stand the sight of him; her teeth are so yellow because of how many cigarettes she has smoked and doesn't pay attention to the fact that she's very dirty and doesn't clean up after herself; she acts like a little girl with her new boyfriend, Spike, because she's so drunk or is just acting stupid and like a fool; she isn't the mother her son and small daughter, Tia, Leo's small 7-year old sister, should have and doesn't care; she doesn't try at all to make their children's lives a better one and doesn't bother paying more attention to it. Leo doesn't even have a dad and when he meets his dad, he doesn't even believe him. It was just really sad seeing Leo having to deal with this abandonment and not having a mother that loves him properly because his dad left her when he was a baby.
David, on the other hand, had a more supportive and wealthier family. I loved how his parents accepted who he was and just wanted him to take as much time as he needed. His mom even applied makeup for him and that just made me a little too happy. I loved how they understood where he was coming from and even decided to play along, saying it was great to not be normal and how it's better to be different because you're just, different. I did hate David's sister, Liv, and found her to be a little bitch. I guess it's because she didn't know about it until after, but she was also like the bullies David had at school, which made it worse because it was at his house and from his little sister. She'd call him weird and would say he looked like shit when he didn't sleep well and I don't know but she just got on my nerves a lot.
Overall, The Art of Being Normal talks about issues going around nowadays, especially right now, that are solved bit by bit, and I loved how Lisa wrote this. I did say the writing was a bit lacking in the beginning, but the story made progress as David and Leo follow each other's journey together and manage to get through it all. It's got an emotional ride to it, depending on the reader, and it's got the small humor bits that add laughter to it, but it's also got the respectful diversity a book should have.

4 out of 5

Natasha–Aug 04, 2015

It's been a while since I read this but I feel there's two things I should point out that really bothered me about the book. 1) Leo is a trans guy but him being trans is treated as a plot twist, and is found out when a girl he likes sees his genitalia. Not a fan of that. 2) Kate (called by her birth name for most of the book) is referred to by he/him pronouns by Leo in his internal monologue after he finds out she's a trans girl but only refers to her as 'she' when she's wearing feminine clothin It's been a while since I read this but I feel there's two things I should point out that really bothered me about the book. 1) Leo is a trans guy but him being trans is treated as a plot twist, and is found out when a girl he likes sees his genitalia. Not a fan of that. 2) Kate (called by her birth name for most of the book) is referred to by he/him pronouns by Leo in his internal monologue after he finds out she's a trans girl but only refers to her as 'she' when she's wearing feminine clothing. That's something that really irked me.
Update: Since reading this I've become a lot more educated on transphobic tropes. The above are all very transphobic tropes. When Leo found out Kate was trans he should've only used she/her pronouns, and when he found out she wants to be called 'Kate' he should've switched to Kate, not only when she worse a dress. It's clearly a book by a cis person who did minimal research. This book is just a transphobic mess.

5 out of 5

Sarah Churchill–Feb 02, 2015

Fantastic. Highly recommended.
The Art of Being Normal is the story of a transgender character named David, and his journey to finally telling his family (and the rest of the world) that he wishes to be referred to as Kate, and would like to begin transitioning.
I have to be honest and say that I don't believe I've read a book about a transgender character before, certainly not as the main focus of the story. I know they exist, so it's either down to my own lack of diverse reading or a distinct l Fantastic. Highly recommended.
The Art of Being Normal is the story of a transgender character named David, and his journey to finally telling his family (and the rest of the world) that he wishes to be referred to as Kate, and would like to begin transitioning.
I have to be honest and say that I don't believe I've read a book about a transgender character before, certainly not as the main focus of the story. I know they exist, so it's either down to my own lack of diverse reading or a distinct lack of books covering this topic... I suspect it's a bit of both.
I enjoyed this immensely, it's very easy to read and I liked both of the dual POVs (I also appreciated the use of different fonts for both just to keep me on track!)
It features some serious and important themes, all of which were handled well, including of course sexuality and gender but also bullying, family relationships, poverty and abandonment... probably a few more too. But beyond the struggles of David and Leo it never felt 'heavy', if that's the right word. I certainly felt sad and angry, as well as happy and warm, but I enjoyed the whole journey.
As others have said, a must read if you enjoy the work of David Levithan and Maureen Johnson.

4 out of 5

Kai–May 01, 2018

David longs to be a girl. David is a girl who longs for acceptance.
The Art of Being Normal was not what I had expected. I would say that this is a good introduction for someone who wants to know more about life as a transgender kid and adolescent. It is a heartfelt novel, for sure, but not a perfect one.
I had difficulties connecting with the characters, especially with David. She is 15 years old if I am not mistaken, but she acts like a 12-year-old. In most situations, David and her friends seem David longs to be a girl. David is a girl who longs for acceptance.
The Art of Being Normal was not what I had expected. I would say that this is a good introduction for someone who wants to know more about life as a transgender kid and adolescent. It is a heartfelt novel, for sure, but not a perfect one.
I had difficulties connecting with the characters, especially with David. She is 15 years old if I am not mistaken, but she acts like a 12-year-old. In most situations, David and her friends seemed way too young and immature to, for example, go on a weekend trip on their own or have relationships and sex. Their behaviour was not according to their age. Their lack of depth and complexity added to my inability to connect with these characters and made them seem even more childish. David is way too pushy. If she were real I probably would have hit her for being so obnoxiously curious. I get that she is supposed to get Leo to loosen up and slowly stop hiding behind his walls. But the level of pushiness (that a word?) that David shows is maddening.
I also have some issues with the way transsexuality was represented at times. First of all, for 98% of the novel, David, who is, in fact, a trans girl is addressed with male pronouns. And secondly, Leo's gender is used as a plot twist, which is not what someone's sexual orientation or gender identity should ever be used for. And no, this was not a spoiler, for the exact reason that I just mentioned.
The more I think about it, the less I like this book. However, there were a few moments when I got quite emotional. I hope this book paves the way for more transexual YA main characters. Their voices are shamefully underrepresented in literature.
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5 out of 5

Stacey (prettybooks)–Oct 07, 2014

You must have heard about The Art of Being Normal by now and, if not, I'm not sure how you have managed to miss it. Published on 1st January, it's one of the most talked about UKYA novels published this year so far, and has certainly set a high standard.
Fourteen-year-old David Piper has only told two people – his two best friends, Essie and Fox, who have both been incredibly supportive – that he has wanted, needed, to be a girl ever since he was a small child. David has written a letter to his p You must have heard about The Art of Being Normal by now and, if not, I'm not sure how you have managed to miss it. Published on 1st January, it's one of the most talked about UKYA novels published this year so far, and has certainly set a high standard.
Fourteen-year-old David Piper has only told two people – his two best friends, Essie and Fox, who have both been incredibly supportive – that he has wanted, needed, to be a girl ever since he was a small child. David has written a letter to his parents explaining how he feels but cannot bring himself to give it to them. He already suspects that they think he's gay, but he's not ready tell them the whole story just yet. And he's certainly not going to tell anyone else at school – he's already being called a freak show. David meets newcomer Leo Denton on his first day at Eden Park School. He walks over to him even though Leo doesn't seem to want to talk to anyone at all, let alone make friends. When the school bully just won't leave David alone, Leo steps in, and now David just has to get to know him. But Leo's had to move schools for a reason and David's about to be the first one to discover why.
I've been reading a lot of American young adult contemporary novels lately and so it was a bit of a shock to step into such an obviously English voice, even though I knew The Art of Being Normal was UKYA. It made me realise how much I miss it. I don't know why (are we really that different?), but even though the world of school and the struggles of growing up are essentially the same across the pond, UKYA just makes teenage life feel that little more vivid and relatable. But what is normal, huh?
I have yet to meet someone who didn't enjoy The Art of Being Normal. It has a brilliant – as well as important – title because it's not an 'issues' book. It's not really about being transgender, but is a story that just happens to have a transgender character. David doesn't feel like he's not normal, he's just trying to find a way to communicate that to everyone else. It's about what it's like to grow up, make friends and deal with family. It's about class and identity, and how people are perceived by others. It's all heightened when you are a teenager because it's difficult not to care less; you can't live on your own and you can't do what you want. It can be quite suffocating, so it's helpful to hear stories about teenagers going through the same experiences as you.
The Art of Being Normal is one of the first books I've read that talks about transgender lives. Lisa Williamson not only writes an incredible contemporary novel, full of laughs and emotion, but also a responsible and respectful one. If you've never read a book that talks about being transgender, if you want to read more diversely, or if you just want a realistic, empathetic coming-of-age story, pick up The Art of Being Normal and start to dismantle the definition of 'normal' bit by bit.
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.

5 out of 5

Reading Corner–Apr 14, 2017

I couldn't finish this,it deals with an incredibly important issue and relevant topic in today's society but the book just felt like a generic ya book.I wanted to read this book for the trans character and to see how well the story would deal with the issue but after 110 pages I couldn't even really get to the core issue because the writing,dialogue and story were so painfully cliche.The story screams American cliche high school trash that we see in so many media outlets and the book isn't even I couldn't finish this,it deals with an incredibly important issue and relevant topic in today's society but the book just felt like a generic ya book.I wanted to read this book for the trans character and to see how well the story would deal with the issue but after 110 pages I couldn't even really get to the core issue because the writing,dialogue and story were so painfully cliche.The story screams American cliche high school trash that we see in so many media outlets and the book isn't even set in America,it's set in England so why are they acting so American?!
The story was so painfully boring with the typical high school bullies who felt so unrealistic because they used pathetic insults like "freak-show".The dialogue was depressingly boring and failed in giving the characters any depth or personality,I think the worst thing I read was when one character uses the word 'Amazeballs'.Cringe.No one ever says that,it felt like the author was desperately trying to make the story appeal to a younger audience.
I looked up what happens in the story and it's incredibly predictable so I'm glad I stopped reading.It's such a shame I couldn't carry on reading this book when I was so looking forward to it especially due to the trans characters but then the characters have literal no development,the story is depressingly generic and the dialogue is painful.

4 out of 5

Kate (GirlReading)–Jun 29, 2016

This was such a fantastic, insightful, brilliantly written book. I absolutely flew through it, the writing style was so comfortable and easy to read and flowed smoothly between each perspectives.
This somehow both broke my heart and filled it with joy at the same time. Some of the issues dealt with and scenarios present in the plot crumbled my faith in humanity. It hurts to think about what some people have to go through when simply wanting to be themselves. It was difficult to read but I think This was such a fantastic, insightful, brilliantly written book. I absolutely flew through it, the writing style was so comfortable and easy to read and flowed smoothly between each perspectives.
This somehow both broke my heart and filled it with joy at the same time. Some of the issues dealt with and scenarios present in the plot crumbled my faith in humanity. It hurts to think about what some people have to go through when simply wanting to be themselves. It was difficult to read but I think Lisa Williamson did such a fantastic job at balancing the emotions of the reader. Yes it was heartbreaking but there were also many moments that made me smile a huge amount and helped to, once again, restore my faith in humanity. Honestly this was such a rollercoaster of a book. There were twists I didn't see coming, an array emotions from start to finish and within all of that, a genuine insight and more of an education on this topic. This was my first book I've read that surrounding the topic of being transgender and I feel as though this was a really great book to start with. I definitely hope to read more in the future!

4 out of 5

Thomas–Jul 04, 2015

3.5 stars
Loved the introductory exploration of trans issues in this book, even if it faltered in other areas. The Art of Being Normal follows two protagonists who both go to Eden Park School: David Piper, a biological male who has always wanted to be a girl, and Leo Denten, an outsider with dark secrets of his own. Though the two seem quite different - David, more reserved and wistful, Leo, more moody and confrontational - a twist of fate brings them together in ways neither of them expect.
I app 3.5 stars
Loved the introductory exploration of trans issues in this book, even if it faltered in other areas. The Art of Being Normal follows two protagonists who both go to Eden Park School: David Piper, a biological male who has always wanted to be a girl, and Leo Denten, an outsider with dark secrets of his own. Though the two seem quite different - David, more reserved and wistful, Leo, more moody and confrontational - a twist of fate brings them together in ways neither of them expect.
I appreciated Lisa Williamson's willingness to tackle a trans character and the challenges they face. She makes David's struggle to accept himself a central part of the plot while writing his dual perspective with Leo in a way that maintains a solid pace for the story as a whole. David and Leo both have strengths and weaknesses, which humanizes them way more than if they had been perfect Christ figures. The Art of Being Normal flowed well, which I attribute to Williamson's easy-to-navigate writing.
I wanted more from several domains of this book though. Williamson's writing, while smooth, did not convey the more nuanced underpinnings of the characters' struggles. Leo's family and David's two best friends both felt like accessories to David's desire to transition, and it would have been nice to see those characters' relationships fleshed out. Though I read The Art of Being Normal on my Kindle, it felt a bit too thin for me to build strong attachments to our protagonists.
I liked this book and think others will too, though I feel even more excited to read other, more developed young-adult books with trans characters. Looking forward to reading Williamson's future work and I admire the effort she put into crafting this story.

I’m transgender myself and I work with transgender youth, so of course I’m bringing that to the table. I didn’t hate this book – in fact, I quite liked large parts of it, but there are a few issues that drag it down. One of them was that I don't feel like it was written with transgender people in mind as a part of the key audience, unless they're teenagers still trying to figure out even the most basic things. But at the same time, it's a bit of a narrow representation of transgender people.
The I’m transgender myself and I work with transgender youth, so of course I’m bringing that to the table. I didn’t hate this book – in fact, I quite liked large parts of it, but there are a few issues that drag it down. One of them was that I don't feel like it was written with transgender people in mind as a part of the key audience, unless they're teenagers still trying to figure out even the most basic things. But at the same time, it's a bit of a narrow representation of transgender people.
The full review is at my blog and contains spoilers.

4 out of 5

thebookbitch–Apr 08, 2016

I don't think I've ever been so happy to finish a book. And I don't mean that in a bad way, I literally finished the book with the biggest grin on my face, content with the ending and slightly wanting more Kate (David) and Leo. I'm so glad this book was mainly focused on finding ones true self, as well as true friendship. You know, the type of friendship you'll have for life.
However, I also have to be open and honest to the slightly problematic aspects of the book too. Do I think this represent I don't think I've ever been so happy to finish a book. And I don't mean that in a bad way, I literally finished the book with the biggest grin on my face, content with the ending and slightly wanting more Kate (David) and Leo. I'm so glad this book was mainly focused on finding ones true self, as well as true friendship. You know, the type of friendship you'll have for life.
However, I also have to be open and honest to the slightly problematic aspects of the book too. Do I think this represented Transgender people in the best way? Absolutely not. The author is a cis female and could never fully understand what it's like to be Transgender, all the issues people with Gender Identity Issues go through. I also felt like the romantic aspect was seen as a laugh at the expense of Kate which made me uncomfortable. The Art of Being Normal is a good place to start out but there are so many more better representing books out there.

5 out of 5

Lia–Jul 26, 2018

[CONTENT WARNING: TRANSPHOBIA]
I'm not transgender, but even I can see how terrible the author dealt with the characters transness. The story is about the transgender girl Kate who is closeted (and goes by David for most of the book) and the transgender boy Leo who is not out at his new school. The two of them form an unlikely friendship and that's basically what the story is about. I thought the story itself was - except for some problematic things I'll remark on later on - really fun and just [CONTENT WARNING: TRANSPHOBIA]
I'm not transgender, but even I can see how terrible the author dealt with the characters transness. The story is about the transgender girl Kate who is closeted (and goes by David for most of the book) and the transgender boy Leo who is not out at his new school. The two of them form an unlikely friendship and that's basically what the story is about. I thought the story itself was - except for some problematic things I'll remark on later on - really fun and just nice to read. I love reading about queer kids and friendships.
This book hits a lot of basic trans tropes that are problematic and could have been handled so much better. I honestly wonder if the author (who isn't trans herself as far as I know) has even asked a single trans person for feedback because I can't believe that nobody realized how this book was basically a cis person wanting to "prove" how good of an ally they are by writing a book about trans issues (without knowing anything about trans issues). Guess what? She's a terrible ally. If you can even call her an ally at all.
The book has a whole lot of misgendering, deadnaming and usage of the wrong pronouns and on top of that, there's bullying, transphobia and name calling and if that's not bad enough, here's some more.
From here on, there will be some spoilers, but honestly, you probably don't want to read this book after you've read my review so does it really matter? You decide.
I honestly thought I had somehow misremembered Leo being trans until, GUESS WHAT, the author uses it as a huge plot twist (and a bad one with that). He's basically forced to reveil his transness to someone he cares about after which that person completely drops him. Which is very shitty.
When Leo (voluntarily) comes out to Kate, he does this by partly undressing and showing her his binder. As if there is no other way you can let another person know you are trans, except for showing your body. I cannot believe for a second a trans person would rather show (fairly) intimate parts of their body, than just saying "hey I'm also trans".
Both Leo and Kate are outed without their permission whatsoever and even though Kate being outed was done with good intentions (I guess?), it is still a terrible thing to do. Near the end of the book, Kate's friends out her to almost the entire school without asking her anything, and instead host her a suprise party, dress her up, and not tell her anything until it's too late to do anything about it.
This is the end of the spoiler section! What comes next are very minor spoilers that have nothing to do with the plot.
I wanted to go a little more in depth on the use of pronouns and names in this book. Though Kate is a trans girl - A GIRL - for most of the book she still goes by her birth name and he/him pronouns. Both in narration and dialogue David and he/him are used, which I didn't have much of a problem with until she was out. Even after Kate is out to Leo, he still continues to call her David and uses he/him pronouns. You'd think a trans person would understand the importance of names and pronouns. HE KNOWS how much it hurts to be called by his birth name and yet he still goes out and calls Kate by hers. That's just plain bad and if the author did any research on this, she'd know.
At the point they do start using she/her and Kate, it's treated as something the character needs to be congratulated on instead of, you know, it being a f*cking decent thing to not misgender people.
The thing about this - and more of the often badly phrased laguage of the author - is that the author makes it seem as if Kate is not a girl, but instead is a boy wanting to be a girl. In the narration there are several mentions or sentences that not just imply this but even state this literally. Just a paraphrased example Kate says near the end about her parents "how freaky it must be to see their son being dressed up as a girl." If I know anything about gender identity (and the same goes for sexual/romantic orientation), I know that it's not a choice. You don't pick and choose to what gender(s) you're attracted (if you're even attracted to any gender at all) and you also don't choose being trans. A trans girl is a girl and a trans boy is a boy and using language like 'wanting to be [a certain gender]' is very problematic and promotes the idea that transness is a choice (which it isn't).
As I said before, I'm not trans and though I try my best to educate myself on trans issues but if you found anything I said in this review to be wrong or problematic or anything, please tell me and I'll try to do even better in the future.
Here are some #ownvoices reviews written by trans people: by Neo on GR and by James on Tumblr. On a side-note, PLEASE for the sake of my sanity, like some ownvoices reviews and/or reviews about how problematic it is on goodreads and make them the top reviews so people see what a shitstorm of a book this is. I can't stand the fact that it has over 4 stars and everyone praises how amazing it is.

5 out of 5

Susan–Jan 09, 2016

Have you ever finished a book and thought…that it was IMPORTANT? That the story that’s being told is one that everyone should hear? That’s how I felt about “The Art of Being Normal”. I feel like everyone NEEDS to read this. It’s an important message about our society today. And it it’s just a damn fine book, too.
David has a secret. He hasn’t told his family. He hasn’t come out to the world with it. Only his best friends, and his trusty journal know the truth. If he could be anything in the world Have you ever finished a book and thought…that it was IMPORTANT? That the story that’s being told is one that everyone should hear? That’s how I felt about “The Art of Being Normal”. I feel like everyone NEEDS to read this. It’s an important message about our society today. And it it’s just a damn fine book, too.
David has a secret. He hasn’t told his family. He hasn’t come out to the world with it. Only his best friends, and his trusty journal know the truth. If he could be anything in the world…he’d want to be a girl.
Now, I’m certain this isn’t the first book about a trans youth. And I’m thankful that more and more are being published and kids and adults alike are being exposed to the message. But, what makes this one special is that it’s…thought-provoking. For instance: David knows everyone thinks he’s gay. But in his mind, despite having a penis and being attracted to the popular boy in school, he’s not gay. He’s a straight girl trapped in a boy’s body.
Perspective.
Enter Leo. Leo is from the “wrong side of the tracks” and transfers to Eden Park to get an education that will help him escape his difficult life. Leo is tough and mysterious. And David is attracted to him immediately. What I love about this attraction is that it’s not about like or lust or love. David feels connected to Leo in the way that you know you’ve met someone who’s going to change your life.
Leo has his own secrets. And page after page, I was terrified to find out. And then I was terrified that someone else would find out. Oy, the angst!
And just the struggle of being a kid these days…honestly. I sometimes can’t believe how hard it is to grow up nowadays. Never mind growing up being a little different than the other kids in school. I get fiercely protective of those being bullied…reading it makes my stomach tie up in knots and I want to crawl into my Kindle and make it right. Yeah…this book was a bit of a punch in the gut for me.
Lisa Williamson writes a book that is BRAVE in it’s content and it’s characters.
Important. Read it.
What's to like:
The characters in the story are really likable. Yes, they fill the stereotypes of those in most YA books today. But I believe the roles they play in this book. I believe the bully is just an ignorant idiot. I believe the musical girl is cool and playful. I believe the tough kid from across town has a roughness and a softness to him. I believe the awkward feminine kid has more to him than meets the eye. And the writing was really impressive. My first book from this author…looking forward to more.
What's to love:
The messages of this story: friendships, family, being true to yourself, standing up for yourself, being different is ok, It-gets-better…they all work today to present a story about hope. They don’t compete with each other. They actually build each other up. And though it was sometimes hard to read the tough times these kids go through, I want felt HOPEFUL by the end.
Beware of:
There is a story arc in the book that deals with Leo finding his father. It’s emotional and hard to read. It’s also uplifting and funny at parts. But, I wonder if it really needed to be in the book. It might’ve been unnecessary to the overall story. Still…I enjoyed it.
This book is for:
Ok, well, it’s definitely for those who love to read YA. It’s also for those raising children and wondering how to approach topics like transgender. But ultimately, its for everyone, really. It’s eye-opening, heart-opening, mind-opening. Good for the soul.

Sigh. Another disappointment crossed off the TBR. I was so excited to read this, especially after seeing so many rave reviews, but unfortunately this was a story that did not make it on my memorable list.
My main issue with THE ART OF BEING NORMAL is that it's a tale of transgender teens told by a cisgender author. Now admittedly, I knew that from the beginning but I was optimistic that it may have worked out. I believe in giving authors the benefit of the doubt until I've seen the proof in their Sigh. Another disappointment crossed off the TBR. I was so excited to read this, especially after seeing so many rave reviews, but unfortunately this was a story that did not make it on my memorable list.
My main issue with THE ART OF BEING NORMAL is that it's a tale of transgender teens told by a cisgender author. Now admittedly, I knew that from the beginning but I was optimistic that it may have worked out. I believe in giving authors the benefit of the doubt until I've seen the proof in their work; regardless of how you identify, it is possible to show compassion in the pages. That being said, I do think more books involving trans* MCs should be written by actual trans* authors, but I digress. In my mind, it was still worth it to give this a shot.
That optimism dissolved when it is revealed that one of the MCs is trans*- but only through a scene that revolves around having his genitalia exposed? What?! That doesn't work for me. I also didn't appreciate the transphobic slurs/dialogue the MCs said to each other, as well as using the wrong pronouns. Add onto that the fact that it was stated multiple times that "David wants to be a girl"- WANTS. NO. She already is. Also, neither character is gay so why is the pride flag on the cover? Whatever happened to the trans* flag?
These flaws automatically make this book a fatal recipe. But Williamson's prose & overall flat character development makes this worth skipping. Being cis*, I really can't say anything more effective; I would certainly implore you to read the reviews by trans* reviewers. In my opinion, NORMAL is more harmful than helpful & I can't recommend this.

5 out of 5

Puck–Dec 22, 2016

"Besides, who wants to be normal anyway? Fancy that on your gravestone. ‘Here lies so-and-so. They were entirely normal.’”
A sweet YA-story with a couple of amazing diverse characters, although the story itself could have been better.
The strength of this YA-novel is the budding friendship between David and Leo. At first sight the boys are each others opposite - Leo is reserved and moody and David open and kind – but when David is able to break down some of Leo’s walls, they realize how alike "Besides, who wants to be normal anyway? Fancy that on your gravestone. ‘Here lies so-and-so. They were entirely normal.’”
A sweet YA-story with a couple of amazing diverse characters, although the story itself could have been better.
The strength of this YA-novel is the budding friendship between David and Leo. At first sight the boys are each others opposite - Leo is reserved and moody and David open and kind – but when David is able to break down some of Leo’s walls, they realize how alike they are. Together the boys help each other face problems that are hard to confront, like David’s trans issues or Leo’s missing father, which makes their friendship very touching and beautiful to read about.
That friendship however isn’t strong enough to mask the thin plot of the book. In the first half of the novel the focus is on David and his problems with body dysphoria (which were realistically described, in my cisgender opinion). Not much happens to Leo, apart from him falling in love with Alicia and experiencing some family drama.
In the second part of the book the roles are reversed, but the way Leo’s character is given depth is by sending him and David on a wacky road trip. It’s fun to read about, and the drunken scene in the pub made me laugh, but the trip lacked emotional impact. Williamson certainly tries to give us the feels, but the attempt feels pretty forced.
I was also a bit disappointed by the author’s treatment of transgender topics like bullying or transitioning. Some bullying does takes place in the book, but it isn’t treated seriously; while in reality, prejudice against transgender people is pretty severe. The discussion of gender and sex changes neither goes very into depth. The reason why has to do with an important plot reveal, so I’ll tag this for spoilers. (view spoiler)[ In my opinion, the process of going through a sex change and its physical and emotional effects are never fully explored because David and Leo stand at opposite sides of that process. David only makes the first steps by dressing up as Kate, and although Leo has already gone through a large part of his transition, he never talks about his specialist appointments. This really bugged me because the transition process is such an important part of a transsexual person’s life (whenever they choose to go through it or not), so I was sad that Williamson never wrote anything about that. (hide spoiler)]
When it comes to LGBTQIA-books, transgender characters are very underrepresented, which is a damn shame. Complex topics like gender identity and transsexuality are more and more discussed in society these days, so it’s important that we see those topics represented in literature. The Art of Being Normal is one of those pieces of literature that tries to do that, and does a good job, but overall the plot, the writing, and the supporting characters are pretty average.
However, me rating this book 3 stars doesn’t mean this book isn’t worth reading. We need stories like this to introduce trans issues to a broad public, and Williamson herself worked at a Gender Identity Development Service, so she certainly did her research for writing this book.
This novel is therefore a great start for readers interested in transgender characters, and for people who love reading about the emotional friendship between two boys figuring out what it means to be ‘normal’.

4 out of 5

Jess–Oct 25, 2014

It's high time the world of YA fiction had a real contender in the T corner of the LGBT spectrum, and Lisa Williamson stands up to the plate magnificently.
'The Art Of Being Normal' follows David, who stumbles through the minefield of high school and puberty knowing in his heart that everything is wrong... because he wants to be a girl, knows he is supposed to be girl. Navigating bullies gets a little easier for him though with a well aimed punch from Leo Denton, who struggles alongside David wit It's high time the world of YA fiction had a real contender in the T corner of the LGBT spectrum, and Lisa Williamson stands up to the plate magnificently.
'The Art Of Being Normal' follows David, who stumbles through the minefield of high school and puberty knowing in his heart that everything is wrong... because he wants to be a girl, knows he is supposed to be girl. Navigating bullies gets a little easier for him though with a well aimed punch from Leo Denton, who struggles alongside David with a family that barely seem to notice him and a blossoming relationship with a beautiful girl that seems too good to be true.
This book took me on a hike, up and down, making me laugh and tear up in turn. Both David and Leo are complex and delightful characters that suffer some teenage problems we can all sympathise with, and then some that we know little about, putting us in sometimes very uncomfortable shoes. This book offers up a glimpse of understanding, addressing gender and sexuality without flinching from the difficulties of the subjects addressed.
It broke my heart and remade it and I feel like I need to re-read it and appreciate it all over again. An honestly wonderful must read for both teens and older readers. YA fiction needs more books like this.

4 out of 5

Nicola–Jan 24, 2015

I was really pleasantly surprised by this book. I've been hearing a lot about it and on my quest to read more UKYA (since it's where I'm from and I want to support the UKYA scene) I decided to pick it up. I am so happy that I did as it is one of those stories that I completely devoured.
David is fourteen years old and has known since he was a child that he is really a female stuck inside a male body. His two best friends are the only ones to know and he is struggling to find the right way to tel I was really pleasantly surprised by this book. I've been hearing a lot about it and on my quest to read more UKYA (since it's where I'm from and I want to support the UKYA scene) I decided to pick it up. I am so happy that I did as it is one of those stories that I completely devoured.
David is fourteen years old and has known since he was a child that he is really a female stuck inside a male body. His two best friends are the only ones to know and he is struggling to find the right way to tell his parents. He has already been branded the "freak show" at school and certainly doesn't want his life to become even more difficult. But he knows that he needs to become who he really is.
Leo is the new kid school and his attempt to stay as invisible as possible fails when he steps in and stands up for David in a fight. David is insistent in becoming friends with him but Leo moved schools for a reason and David is set to become the only person to know the real truth of why.
The characters in this book are wonderful. There are alternating points of view from David and Leo and each had a very distinct voice. Both of their stories are very moving in their own way and have the right balance of sensitivity, development and humour.
One of the things I liked most about this story is that it's not just about being transgender. It tackles diversity, the class system, bullying, becoming a teenager and turbulent family relationships. Each theme is so beautifully written and with just the right amount of humour that you can be in tears one minute whilst laughing the next.
The Art of Being Normal is an emotional and realistic coming-of-age story which challenges the idea of what being "normal" actually means. I highly recommend it.

5 out of 5

Afro Madonna–Apr 06, 2017

This book is really important. There are so many people out there today struggling with gender identity and the desperate need to be looked at as "normal" because they do not fit into the specific and constricting constructs of society and it is just heartbreaking. Before this book, i did not have that much of an insight into transgender struggles. Even if this book is purely fiction, it still did open my eyes to some of the struggles in an honest simple prose imbued with complex depths. I real
This book is really important. There are so many people out there today struggling with gender identity and the desperate need to be looked at as "normal" because they do not fit into the specific and constricting constructs of society and it is just heartbreaking. Before this book, i did not have that much of an insight into transgender struggles. Even if this book is purely fiction, it still did open my eyes to some of the struggles in an honest simple prose imbued with complex depths. I really do not have much to say except that i urge everyone who has not read it yet to read and be educated in any possible way and learn more even after reading in order to understand the struggles of the people going through this. It may not seem real to some of us, but it is for every transgender person out there who is not accepted.
The only thing i did not like about the book was that it is written in the present tense because for some reason that i do not know, i just cannot stand books written in the present tense. I made it through though so yassss bihh.
So I have to read this for a class and I'm pretty curious about the book .

I'll add a decent review later but I am totally in love with this book.
It deserves all the stars.

4 out of 5

Larry H–Dec 22, 2014

Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal is a moving, well-written reminder of how brutal, yet how beautiful, the world can be to those who are different.
David Piper has really never fit in. Apart from his two best friends, most of his fellow high school students ridicule him for being different. One of the school bullies has called him "Freak Show" since they were younger, but David is willing to wait him out until high school ends. His parents think he is gay, and are waiting for him to tel Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal is a moving, well-written reminder of how brutal, yet how beautiful, the world can be to those who are different.
David Piper has really never fit in. Apart from his two best friends, most of his fellow high school students ridicule him for being different. One of the school bullies has called him "Freak Show" since they were younger, but David is willing to wait him out until high school ends. His parents think he is gay, and are waiting for him to tell them.
What David wants, more than anything, is to be a girl. But as he grows taller and more like his father, he wonders if this will ever be a possibility.
Leo Denton is the new kid in David's high school, coming from a poorer area to the more posh private school. Overly exaggerated tales of his exploits at his last high school follow him, but he lets people say what they want about him. Yet while he wants to remain under the radar, two events occur which ensure that wish isn't granted: he stands up for David when he is being bullied, and then he falls for one of the most beautiful and talented girls in school. It's not long before secrets he hoped wouldn't be exposed come to light.
I felt The Art of Being Normal so accurately captured the feelings one experiences when you are different, when you are bullied, and how you just wish you could hide to avoid the ridicule and abuse. Williamson created such complex characters that you feel for and root for, characters you think about after the book is over. Even if once the story hits its stride you have a feeling how the plot will unfold, you're completely drawn into the characters' lives and you want to know what is going to happen.
Like so many YA books out there these days, this type of book didn't exist when I was growing up. I'm so glad that it exists now, however, and hope that people read it, are moved by it, and perhaps convinced to change their behavior, to understand that their definition of "normal" isn't everyone's. So well done.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....

4 out of 5

Dalziel Mapp–Jun 22, 2018

Mixed feelings about this one, need to think on it.
rtc

5 out of 5

Odette Knappers–Sep 22, 2016

Oh, this is one cute diversity read! I highly recommend this if you love Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!
Just like in Simon, in this book it is about a diversity character, in this case a trans, but without the book being written in a learny way. You get to know David and you learn what it's like to be trapped in the wrong body because he is.
And I also like Leo a lot! And I like how, at least in the Dutch version, the different point of views are indicated with different fonts. I really like Oh, this is one cute diversity read! I highly recommend this if you love Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!
Just like in Simon, in this book it is about a diversity character, in this case a trans, but without the book being written in a learny way. You get to know David and you learn what it's like to be trapped in the wrong body because he is.
And I also like Leo a lot! And I like how, at least in the Dutch version, the different point of views are indicated with different fonts. I really like how this worked out!
A cute, fun read, lovely characters and the book is filled with beautiful touching moments. I highly recommend reading this!

5 out of 5

Lucy Powrie–Dec 17, 2014

The buzz around the release of The Art of Being Normal has been crazy! So many of my trusted friends and fellow reviewers have loved it so the pressure was on when I chose to read it myself.
Williamson has created a novel I wish had been written years ago. It’s incredibly brave – I don’t think there’s anything too similar to it published at the moment – and it stands out because of its themes and content. However, I’m sad because I wish there were more books just like The Art of Being Normal. I’m The buzz around the release of The Art of Being Normal has been crazy! So many of my trusted friends and fellow reviewers have loved it so the pressure was on when I chose to read it myself.
Williamson has created a novel I wish had been written years ago. It’s incredibly brave – I don’t think there’s anything too similar to it published at the moment – and it stands out because of its themes and content. However, I’m sad because I wish there were more books just like The Art of Being Normal. I’m going to make it my mission to seek them out! I hope it leads the way to similar books being published.
David has one wish: he wants to be a girl. It’s something that only his two best friends know. As he starts a new school year, Leo Denton starts in year eleven, a boy shrouded in mystery. He is determined to be invisible. The school year plays out and the two boys find out that things at Eden Park School don’t stay secret for long.
I really loved both protagonists and especially how distinguishable they were. Each stood out on their own but also interacted well together, which is what I love in a multiple perspective novel.
David was such a loveable character. Being the same age, I thought I could relate to him a lot and really sympathise with his situation. I wish he were my friend!
Leo’s character development was amazing to read. It was almost as if it was unfolding in real time and I loved seeing him grow and change. Authors take note – this was a perfect character arc!
Please, please, please read The Art of Being Normal! I want to scream from the rooftops about it, and I know I’m not the only one!

5 out of 5

Romie–Mar 29, 2015

After reading reviews by transgender readers, I'm lowering my rate of this book.